A friend of mine is currently adding some options to his AR-15 and is considering adding a Vortex sight. I have found nothing negative about Vortex in general, but was wondering if anyone here has the SPARC model with a 2X magnifier on their AR. Did you notice any shortcomings, or have specific reccommendations for other optics on an AR?

By the way, it is a carbine and is being set up for close quarters, not long range.

I have a Sparc on my 300 Blackout AR and love it. It mounts solid, holds zero, and I really like the smaller size of the optic for a rifle that's designed to be up close and personal as the housing obscures less of my field of view. Great optic and an exceptional company.

I have the Sparc and really like it. The magnifier screws into the sight itself but I haven't used it much. The only bad thing I've heard is that people accidentally bump the sight on without realizing it. Never had it happen to me but just what I heard

I like both the Strikefire and SPARC. I ended up with the SPARC primarily because it uses a much smaller dot making precision shooting much easier. Both are good quality and the only sub-$600 red dots I've run across that are worth owning.

A CMMG .22 Lr upper on my Bushmaster lower, with a SPARC. This is my first red dot and its too easy(fast and accurate). It is small but on a lite carbine it fits well. I did some research on the net and heard about the bumping the on/off switch, just peek through it every now and then and watch your handling. I don't think the windage and elevation nobs are protusive. The optics are very good and the price is right. I've been carrying mine lately bungied on my snow machine in 0'ish temps. and have had no issues, the battery still works. I guess my only criticism is the red dot is too bright, on its lowest setting, at dusk and the night vision mode is too dim. I like it.

After that picture was taken I've added a set of BUIS, well Magpull polymer, and it is more complete, still need a sling.

I didn't know that, no, but I should have. I have a GG&G flip sight on the faux gas block. The MBUS front sight would have been cheaper. It is a CMMG dedicated upper, 22 LR, blowback operated. A really fun little gun.

I have a JP, single stage trigger on the lower. When I first shot it my eye got distracted by the stream of .22 shells flying out the ejection port. I hadn't sighted in the scope so I wasn't hitting my target. Very easy to sight in. I got that lynx about a half hour later with it.

Keep in mind with the SPARC and Aimpoint T1 that you need to have a really consistent cheek weld if you're moving around with it as they offer a very narrow field of view... I'm a little faster with the Aimpoint Comp3 and Trijicon SRS.

I didn't know that, no, but I should have. I have a GG&G flip sight on the faux gas block. The MBUS front sight would have been cheaper. It is a CMMG dedicated upper, 22 LR, blowback operated. A really fun little gun.

I missed the 22 part initially, which obliviously means you don't have the same concerns with the gas block getting warm. The dedicated 22 uppers are certainly a hoot to shoot, aren't they?

I would guess that to be true and I've wanted one for a while, but it seems that the S&W 15-22 runs about as much as one of these uppers. Hmmm....think I'll save my pennies for one of those, instead

Personally, I would recommend a CCMG dedicated .22LR upper on an AR-15 lower over an S&W 15-22. They are incredibly accurate and reliable, and I prefer the forged receiver and ability to use many standard AR parts to the plastic construction and proprietary parts of the S&W 15-22.

Yes - the whole setup is a little more expensive that an S&W 15-22 (which is a fine .22LR rifle in its own right), but if you build your own lower, the overall difference in cost is only about $150 or less.

I like the Sparc on my SIG. The way the in the box mounts line up, it works just great. I have heard that people have issues with unintentionally turning the sight on, which may be true for them, but I have not noticed this. Of course, my failure to notice this could be due to the fact that the sight turns itself off after 6 hours.

The batteries the Sparc uses are not particularly common, which may be an issue.

I have one on my AR, but I have the Strike Fire. It's a decent optic with very good quality. My only dislike is the God-forsaken on-off switch. The Sparc has a similar power switch, if not identical. It can easily be bumped on anytime, but I notice it most when I'm putting my AR in a gun case. You won't notice it for some time, and the batteries can die. I strongly recommend keeping a spare.

The red dot is projected on one spot of the optic. you may move and it may look like the dot is moving. I have used reflex sights mounted on scopes for close range. The dot may not appear to be centered in the optic but if I have it on my desired point of impact that is where it goes. Same for my EoTech. try shooting some with what appears to be off center to you and check you point of impact and grouping. Your mileage may vary as you get extremely off center.

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